LARCH: EUROPEAN 393 



stages of the disease. Trees grown on thin, chalky soils or 

 dry soils are also often quite hollow or " pumped." 



This hollow condition can be detected by tapping the 

 trees with a stick, when, if hollow, the sound emitted will 

 disclose the fact. 



Larch succeeds admirably on shallow clay soils overlying 

 disintegrated limestone rock. It appears to delight in very 

 stony soils ; and, in all probability, its failure on certain soils 

 is due to a lack of air to the roots. A free circulation of air 

 is very necessary for its success ; hence, on flat sheltered 

 localities it will often prove a failure. Northern aspects are 

 almost always preferable to southern aspects, for its 

 well-being. 



The trees suffer a good deal from late frosts, but this 

 largely depends upon the extent to which the leaves have 

 developed. If the leaves have been unfolded about a week, 

 little damage is usually done, but if a frost occur just 

 previous to this, irreparable damage will often be done. 



Cultivation, etc. Larch is a very thinly foliaged, light- 

 demanding tree, and pure crops are quite unable to protect 

 the soil. It is quick growing until the principal height 

 growth has been attained ; but it often suffers a considerable 

 check on being transplanted, unless, indeed, quite small plants 

 are used. The side branches easily drop off, and are readily 

 pruned by all other trees whose rate of height growth is 

 similar. But the side branches of Larch have practically no 

 pruning effect on the side branches of other trees. 



On account of the ease with which Larch cleans itself, 

 pure crops may be planted from 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches 

 apart, and the thinnings may at all times be more severe 

 (provided there has been no previous overcrowding), than 

 would be judicious with any other species of tree. 



It is, however, a very risky proceeding to plant Larch 

 pure, on account of the extraordinary damage wrought by 

 the Larch disease. When forming plantations the probability 

 of ravages from this disease should always be very carefully 

 considered. 



Pure plantations of European Larch should certainly 



